Archery gauge



A. G. FUEHRER ETAL ARCHERY GAUGE Filed Dec. 30, 1959 A RROW R597 Pom/7' IIIII'I"; 3

INVENTOR 5 ATTORNEYS ited States This invention relates to an archery gauge designed for locating the optimum nocking point on the bow string and the proper distance between the bow string and the hand grip on the bow, as suggested by the manufacturer of the bow, to increase accuracy in the use of bows and arrows.

In the sport of archery two mechanical aspects of the bow are critical, one is the optimum nocking point for the arrow on the bow string. It has been determined that when an arrow is discharged from a how it will drop slightly. If compensation is not made for the drop of the arrow as it leaves the bow, the fletching will strike the arrow rest on the bow and the flight of the arrow will be affected. It has been found that a definite nocking point must be determined on the bow string of from A; to A inch above the plane of the arrow rest in order to compensate for the drop of the arrow when discharged and allow the fletching to clear the arrow rest. The second, and equally critical aspect, is the proper distance from the bow string to the hand grip on the bow when the bow is strung. Each manufacturer of bows has determined the proper string to hand grip distance which allows the bow to operate with the efficiency for which it was designed. These two factors must be determined if the archer is to get the best performance from his equipment. By determining and marking the optimum nocking point on the string and adjusting the string to the proper distance from the hand grip on the how the archer is assured that the bow is properly set.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide an archery gauge of this character which includes a nocking point gauge portion having means for slidably holding the gauge on the bow string, the nocking point gauge portion having graduations for indicating the optimum location of the nocking point along the bow string.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an archery gauge including a gauge bar formed integral with the nocking point gauge portion, the gauge bar having graduations formed thereon to determine the proper position of the bow string, when strung, relative to the hand grip of the bow as suggested by the manufacturer.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmental elevational view of a strung bow showing an archery gauge constructed in accordance with the invention as positioned for gauging the optimum nocking point on the bow string.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2-4. of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an edge elevational view of the head of the gauge illustrating the reverse side of the gauge.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 the archery gauge of the present invention as it is used on a strung bow, a fragment of which is shown, to determine the optimum nocking point on a bow string, and to determine the proper distance between the string and hand grip of the how.

The archery gauge comprises an elongated 'bar 5 having an enlarged nocking gauge portion 6 integrally formed atnt at one end thereof. The elongated bar 5 is provided with graduations 7 thereon, the purpose of which will be later described.

The enlarged nocking gauge portion 6 is provided with spaced hook members 8 extending therefrom which have the free ends thereof reverted whereby their configuration is substantially U-shaped. The hook members 8 are positioned over the bow string 9 when the bow 10 is held in a horizontal position. A series of graduations 11 is provided along the outer edge of the nocking gauge portion 6 so that the optimum nocking point on the bow string 9 can be determined. A reference line 12 is provided on the face of the nocking gauge portion 6 indicating an extension of the lower edge of the elongated bar 5.

To determine the optimum nocking point on the bow string 9, the strung bow 10 is held in a horizontal position and the gauge is hung on the bow string 9 by hook members 8. The gauge is slid along the string 9 until the edge of the elongated bar 5 abuts the arrow rest, as shown in FIG. 1. The archer can then mark the opti mum nocking point on the bow string 9 adjacent one of the graduations 11. The optimum nocking point on the bow string 9 is usually from A; to /4 inch above the plane of the point of arrow rest, however, depending on the type of arrow used. The nocking point can vary from to /2 inch. Therefore, tions are provided as shown.

Coincident with the determination of the optimum nocking point on the bow string 9 is the determination of the proper distance between the bow string 9 and the hand grip of the bow 10. The manufacturers of bows have determined this distance and indicate that when adjusted as suggested by them, the bow will perform with maximum efiiciency. By retaining the bow and the gauge the appropriate gradua- 1n the same position used to determine the optimum nocking point, the bow string to hand grip distance can be seen by referring to the graduations 7. If the distance is less than that suggested by the manufacturer, the bow 10 is Unstrung and the string 9 twisted to shorten the same thereby increasing the string to hand grip distance. Conversely, if the string to hand grip distance is greater than suggested by the manufacturer, the how 10 is unstrung and the string 9 untwisted to decrease the distance between the string 9 and the hand grip of the how 10.

It will be apparent from the above description that the archery gauge of the present invention allows an archer to very readily determine and fix the optimum nocking point on a bow string and the manufacturers indicated setting of the distance between the bow string and the hand grip of the bow.

It will also be apparent that the proper distance from the bow string to the hand grip of the bow must be determined and set before the optimum nocking point on the bow string is fixed. This is necessary since adjustment of the bow string to bow hand grip distance by twisting or untwisting the bow string as described above will cause shortening or lengthening of the string and a previously taken point on the bow string will shift relative to the mid-point of the bow.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An archery gauge for determining the optimum nocking point on a bow string and the proper bow string to bow hand grip distance comprising an elongated gauge bar having graduations thereon longitudinally thereof, an enlarged nocking gauge portion formed at one end of said elongated gauge bar including a free edge in a plane perpendicular to said gauge bar, hooks on said nocking gauge portion engageable with the bow string to support said gauge thereon in an operative position with the free edge of said nocking gauge portion adjacent the bow string in spaced parallel relation thereto and said gauge bar in engagement with the bow,

graduatiens on -the free edge of said necking gauge portion to indicate the optimum necking point on the bow string, and the graduations on said gauge bar in engagement with the bow indicating the bow string to bow hand grip distance.

2. An archery gauge for determining the optimum necking point on a bow string and the proper bow string to bow hand grip distance comprising an elongated generally rectangular gauge bar having graduations thereon longitudinally thereof, an enlarged necking gauge portion integrally formed at one end of said gauge bar including a free edge in a plane perpendicular to said gauge bar, a pair of spaced U-shaped hooks on said necking gauge portion engageable with the bow string to support said gauge in an operative position with the free edge of said necking gauge portion adjacent the bow string in spaced parallel relation thereto and the edge of said gauge having the graduations thereon in engagement with the arrow rest point on the bow, graduations on the free edge of said necking gauge portion between said hooks to indicate the optimum necking point on the bow string, and the graduations on said elongated rectangular gauge bar indicating the bow string to bow hand grip distance.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

